matthias bopp dd1us bochum, november 9th 2019
TRANSCRIPT
Agenda
• QO-100 our first Phase-4 geostationary satellite (P4-A)
• QO-100 transponders
• QO-100 NB modes
• Antennas
• RX for the NB transponder
• TX and amplifiers
• SDR TRX
• Activities on QO-100
Agenda
• QO-100 our first Phase-4 geostationary satellite (P4-A)
• QO-100 transponders
• QO-100 NB modes
• Antennas
• RX for the NB transponder
• TX and amplifiers
• SDR TRX
• Activities on QO-100
Qatar-OSCAR 100 (Es‘hail-2)
Es‘hail-2 was launched on November 15th
2018 on a Falcon 9 from SpaceX.
It is primarily a communication and TV-
Broadcast satellite for the middle east.
Es‘Hail-2 is positioned on 26° East and
covers Europe, Africa and most of Asia.
Peter DB2OS (chairman of AMSAT-DL) convinced the
owners in Qatar to add 2 transponders for Ham Radio (↑13cm Uplink / ↓3cm Downlink).
http://www.amsat-dl.de
Qatar-OSCAR 100 (Es‘hail-2)
http://www.rsgb.org
Peter DB2OS was recently awarded the Louis Varney Cup for Advances in Space
Communications from RSGB. Achim DH2VA collected it on behalf of Peter.
Agenda
• QO-100 our first Phase-4 geostationary satellite (P4-A)
• QO-100 transponders
• QO-100 NB modes
• Antennas
• RX for the narrowband transponder
• TX and amplifiers
• SDR TRX
• Activities on QO-100
QO-100 transponders
The WB-transponder
was recently
extended by
500kHz at its
upper end!
http://www.amsat-dl.de
An extension of the narrowband
transponder is presently
under discussion.
The idea is to wide the
transponder from presently
250 kHz to 500 kHz.
This is only a preliminary
proposal subject to approval.
QO-100 NB transponder
This is only a preliminary proposal subject to approval.
Start [MHz] End [MHz] Start [MHz] End [MHz] Available [MHz] NB-TPX-response /dB Comment
2400,000 2400,005 10489,500 10489,505 0,005 -1,1 Lower Beacon 10489,500 MHz, CW, + guard band
2400,005 2400,040 10489,505 10489,540 0,035 -1,0…-0,5 CW only
2400,040 2400,080 10489,540 10489,580 0,040 -0,5…-0,2 narrowband digimodes (500 Hz max. BW)
2400,080 2400,150 10489,580 10489,650 0,070 -0,2…0,0 digimodes (2700 Hz max. BW)
2400,150 2400,245 10489,650 10489,745 0,095 0,0 SSB only (2700 Hz max. BW)
2400,245 2400,255 10489,745 10489,755 0,010 0,0 Center Beacon 10489,750 MHz, 400 Bit/s BPSK or CW + guard band
2400,255 2400,350 10489,755 10489,850 0,095 0,0 SSB only (2700 Hz max. BW)
2400,350 2400,495 10489,850 10489,995 0,145 0,0…-4,3 mixed modes (2700 Hz max. BW) & special purpose
2400,495 2400,500 10489,995 10490,000 0,005 -4,5
Upper Beacon 10490,000 MHz DVB-S2X/CCSDS with FEC (extremly
narrowband) + guard band
Uplink Downlink
http://www.amsat-dl.de
QO-100 NB transponder
http://www.amsat-dl.deNB-Transponder frequency response
Old plan
250kHz
New plan
500 kHz
QO-100 NB transponder
Agenda
• QO-100 our first Phase-4 geostationary satellite (P4-A)
• QO-100 transponders
• QO-100 NB modes
• Antennas
• RX for the NB transponder
• TX and amplifiers
• SDR TRX
• Activities on QO-100
QO-100 NB modesOperating modes on the narrowband transponder of QO-100:
• SSB / CW
• FreeDV
• RTTY
• SSTV / KGSTV
• FAX
• Feldhell
• Digimodes such as PSK31, FT8, FT4,
THOR8, ROS etc.
Basic rules for the NB transponder:
• Control your uplink power, so that your downlink signal is not stronger
than the beacons
• No transmissions with a bandwidth higher than 2.7kHz
• No analog FM modes and no digital FM modes such as DSTAR, C4FM
• No transmissions below the CW beacon and above the PSK beacon
• Keep a guard band to the beacons (especially 5 kHz to the PSK beacon
because many users are locking their receiver to the PSK beacon
QO-100 NB modes
Agenda
• QO-100 our first Phase-4 geostationary satellite (P4-A)
• QO-100 transponders
• QO-100 NB modes
• Antennas
• RX for the narrowband transponder
• TX and amplifiers
• SDR TRX
• Activities on QO-100
Antennas for QO-100
2.4 GHz uplink of NB and WB TPX is RHCP, 10 GHz downlink of NB TPX is vertical, WB TPX is horizontal.
Helix RHCP
WIFI Grid
linear
Dualband
Feed in
single dish
Patch Array WA5VJB
Separate
Dish Antennas
for Up- and
Downlink
2 Dishes or 1 Dish with Dual Feed?
2 Dishes 1 Dish with Dual-Feed
Each feed can be optimized for each dish
independently:
Setup is more compact
Each feed optimized for f/D Better for portable operations
Each feed optimized for frequency ‘off-the-shelf’ feed solutions available
Each feed position and thus proper phase
center can be chosen independently
Possibly simplied wiring
Each dish can be adjusted independently in
case a feed is squinting
Adjustment of antenna simpler (just optimize
RX and TX should be ok)
Input from Achim DH2VA
Antennas for QO-100
1.9m fine mesh dish for C&KU-band
f/D=0.4, dual-band feed according to
to DJ7GP
>500 QSOs in 6 months using only
300mW at the feed
TX very good, RX not so great
(NB transponder noise 3-4 dB)
Antennas for QO-100
Vintage solid Kathrein dish
(D=1.8m, f/D=0.29)
TX with old feed about 2.5dB
worse
(dish is under illuminated)
TX with POTY feed same
as before because of good
circular polarization
RX excellent G/T:
NB transponder noise: 8dB
WB beacon MER: >=10dB
Feeds for QO-100
G0MJW
PA3FYM
M0EYT
POTY Feed
DJ7GP
Feed DD1US
DF2GB
Helix Feed
with LNB
HB9PZK
Dipole Array
& Waveguide
DD1US
POTY Feed
LZ1JH
4 Yagis & LNB
POTY Feed for QO-100
POTY feed needs to be carefully tuned to achieve very good circular polarization
Developed by Mike G0MJW, Remco PA3FYM and Paul M0EYT
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5
noise penalty and TP excess noise vs. dish size (Tsys=150K)
penalty
TP excess noise
dB
D [m]
Source: Achim DH2VA
Which diameter is needed for your dish?
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
0
0,5
1
1,5
2
2,5
3
3,5
4
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5
noise penalty and TP excess noise vs. dish size (Tsys=150K)
penalty
TP excess noisedB
D [m]
dB
Source: Achim DH2VA
Which diameter is needed for your dish?
Agenda
• QO-100 our first Phase-4 geostationary satellite (P4-A)
• QO-100 transponders
• QO-100 NB modes
• Antennas
• RX for the NB transponder
• TX and amplifiers
• SDR TRX
• Activities on QO-100
PLL-LNBs for QO-100
• There are many choices for PLL-LNB brands and models.
• The devices differentiate in temperature stability, phase noise, some
show low frequency wobbling.
• As the models are rapidly changing, sometimes with the same part
number, thus it is difficult to stay up-to-date. It is often a try-and-error
method but fortunately the LNBs are very cheap (typ. 2 - 10€).
• A good overview can be found here:
• http://www.pabr.org/radio/lnblineup/lnblineup.en.html
• https://uhf-satcom.com/blog/ku-band-pll-lnb-s
• https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Es%27hail-2_LNBs_and_Antennaes
Downconverters for QO-100
Downconverter AMSAT-DL
Price: 178,50€
Converts the IF of both polarizations
to convenient bands:
- 1340 MHz for WB TPX to use Sat-RX
- 144 MHz for NB TPX to use 2m (T)RX
http://www.amsat-dl.de
Downconverters for QO-100
New AMSAT-DL Downconverter V3d
Features:
• Central clock generation with OCXO or GPS
• Reference clock for the PLL in the LNB
• Reference clock for a transmitter mixer
• Reference clock for an SDR
• Short-circuit-proof LNB phantom feed
• Connection for a dual LNB (for simultaneous NB and
WB reception)
• Downward mixing of the NB transponder into a ham
radio band (UHF/VHF or KW)
• Optional OLED display for indication of operating
status and station coordinates
http://www.amsat-dl.de
Downconverters for QO-100
http://www.dxpatrol.pt
DX-Patrol QO-100 Downconverter
Features:
• Input voltage 12V to 18V ( LBN polarization mode)
• Internal 10Mhz Reference TCXO 0,5PPM
• External 10MHz GPSDO input optional
• PLL lock LED indication
• Internal RX pre-amplifier 12dB gain
• RX gain adjust
• Four possible IF reception conversion selectable
• Ready modified LNB included.
• Price incl. LNB 180€
Agenda
• QO-100 our first Phase-4 geostationary satellite (P4-A)
• QO-100 transponders
• QO-100 NB modes
• Antennas
• RX for the NB transponder
• TX and amplifiers
• SDR TRX
• Activities on QO-100
NB TX for QO-100
Upconverter AMSAT-DL V1
70cm input (max 500mW)
13cm output (max. 100mW)
99€ http://www.amsat-dl.de
NB TX for QO-100
Coming soon in the AMSAT-DL store:
Upconverter AMSAT-DL V2
IF-input: 70cm (max 500mW)
RF-output: 13cm (max. 8W)
Reference clock can be supplied from the
AMSAT-DL downconverter V2
http://www.amsat-dl.de
NB TX for QO-100
Upconverter Kuhne MKU UP 2424 B
IF-input: 2m/70cm (max 5W)
RF-output: 13cm (20W)
10 MHz ref. freq. input
949 €
https://shop.kuhne-electronic.de/kuhne/de/shop/eshail-2/
NB TX for QO-100
HIDES BU-500 Upconverter
IF-input: 2m/70cm (max. 10mW)
RF-output: 13cm (max. 500mW)
169 US$ / 135€
2nd generation is improved !
NB TX for QO-100
DX-Patrol Upconverter MK2
IF-input: 10m/2m/70cm/23cm (max. 3W)
RF-output: 13cm (Pout=100mW)
Internal or external 10 MHz reference
120€
http://www.dxpatrol.pt
NB TX for QO-100
Transverter STC-7013 from RA3APW
IF-input/output: 70cm (max. 3W)
RF-input/output: 13cm (Pout=50mW, opt. 12W)
PA based on MW7IC2725 PA module
Ext. 10 MHz ref. input
ca. 210€ http://www.ra3apw.ru
NB TX for QO-100
SG-Labs Transverter TR2300 from LZ5HP
IF-input/output: 70cm (max. 5W)
RF-input/output: 13cm(NF=1.5dB typ.,
Pout=2W typ.)
Switchable LO supporting also terrestrial
operation / EME / split mode
200€
http://www.sg-labs.com
How much power for SSB via QO-100
I am using a 1.8m dish with a POTY feed and approx. 300-600mW
Many are using a 80cm dish and approx. 2-4 Watt
Some are using a helix-antenna (20-40 turns) and approx. 10-20 W
In any case:
Be careful with high power at 2.4 GHz (narrow beam helps to be safe)
No uplink signal should result in a downlink signal stronger than the
beacons
PAs for QO-100
WIFI amplifiers for 2.4 GHz
Pout typ. 3dB under spec
but useable
20W WiFi Booster from AliExpress
testet and described in AMSAT-DL Journal 1/2019
16W P1dBm, OIP3 49.5 dBm, Gain ~34 dB
5A max. @12V
230$
2W < 30$
4W < 50$
PAs for QO-100
PA3AXA 13cm PA with MW7IC2725N
Pout=20W @12V+26V, GP=50dB
<70€
www.hybridpretender.nl
SG-Labs 13cm PA LZ5HP
Pout=20W @28V, Gp=16dB
126 €
www.sg-labs.com
PAs for QO-100
DJ0ABR 13cm PA with MHT1008N
Pout=2.5W(10W) @24V
Gp=17dB, price <40€
Opt. second stage with 6W (25W) @24V
www.helitron.de/dj0abr/
Surplus amplifiers (e.g. Ebay), mostly ex UMTS with lower
gain & power @2.4 GHz but still useable with low efficiency
Agenda
• QO-100 our first Phase-4 geostationary satellite (P4-A)
• QO-100 transponders
• QO-100 NB modes
• Antennas
• RX for the NB transponder
• TX and amplifiers
• SDR TRX
• Activities on QO-100
SDRs for QO-100
Besides traditional upconverter schemes as described before,
modern SDR TRX provide a cost efficient solution for RX and TX for
both, the NB and WB TPX
Only drawback is that always a PC is needed
Especially the Lime-SDRs and ADALM Pluto can be used to
transmit NB and DATV signals directly at 2.4 GHz
They support full duplex operation as mandatory for satellite
communications
SDR 35-40dB LNA
ca. 100mW4W EDUP wi-fi
ca. 1.5W
RGC213/LMR400
coax cable - 15m8W EDUP wi-fi
ca. 3W
1.2m dish
1.5turn helix
25MHz PLL LNB
Bias Tee
12Vdc
75 Ohm – RG6
coax cable
Adalm Pluto or Lime-SDR setup
based on https://www.qrz.com/db/PY2RN
LimeSDR
LimeSDR-USB
USB 3.0
1x TX
1x RX
USB 3.0
4x TX outputs
6x RX inputs
Ref input
LimeSDR-mini
The LimeSDR USB and mini can be
used up to 3.6 GHz for RX and TX
LimeSDR in metal case
Ready made encasings are
available supporting 6 RX
inputs and 4 TX outputsAdding heatsinks on the
ICs is recommended
10 MHz Reference Input
and Output available
LimeSDR with LMS8001 companion board
LimeSDR-USB LMS8001 Companion board
HF – 3.6 GHz 5-10 GHz
USB 3.0The LimeSDR companion board supports
frequencies from 5-10 GHz
but no software supports it yet
Adalm Pluto
ADALM Pluto open
TX
RX
USB 2.0
PWR
The Pluto SDR can be used
up to 6 GHz for RX and TX
ADALM Pluto
Adalm Pluto
Adding a simple USB-Ethernet adapter makes the
ADALM Pluto to a full network controlled SDR TRX
Nice, but:
Internal 40 MHz TCXO needs to be replaced
by a better TCXO or by an external reference
SDR-
Radio
Full-Duplex with
automatic tracking
of RX and TX
frequency and mode.
The latest version
supports also traditional
radios with up- and
downconverters.
SDR-
Radio
Locking the receiver
to the PSK beacon
eliminates the drift
of the LNB.
The latest versions
also support a
variable frequency
of the PSK beacon.
SDR-
Radio
Multiple receiver windows
are convenient to check
the own signal and
compare it to the beacon
level.
Transmit Audio Scope
and spectrum available.
Out-Door-Unit DD1US
Vintage Kathrein 1.8m dish with dualband POTY
feed, <1W enough for a SSB signal at beacon level
Adjustable feed holder and weather proof encasing
with PTFE window for the dual-band feed and LNB
Out-Door-Unit DD1US
All Hardware except the LNB is in the ODU, only 230V and Ethernet cable to the house, allows remote operation
Agenda
• QO-100 our first Phase-4 geostationary satellite (P4-A)
• QO-100 transponders
• QO-100 NB modes
• Antennas
• RX for the NB transponder
• TX and amplifiers
• SDR TRX
• Activities on QO-100
Remco PA3FYM
As of November 4th 2019 Remco
PA3FYM worked 80 DXCCs in
> 800 QSOs via QO-100.
He worked >320 different grid squares.
As of that date 82 DXCCs were active
on QO-100. He only missed only
4U1ITU and ZA (activated by
DL2RMC)
Some of the slides / information were kindly
provided by Achim DH2VA, who was not
able to come to Bochum this time due to
other obligations.
Thank you very much for your attention !